EA has added a paid season pass to FC 25 in a first for its long-running soccer series.
The EA Sports FC 25 Premium Pass is live now in-game and can be obtained with the earnable in-game virtual currency (500,000 UT Coins) or the virtual currency paid for with real-world money (1,000 FC Points, which cost $9.99).
The paid track includes exclusive content and, crucially, tradeable packs. This means players of Ultimate Team (FC’s most popular and controversial mode) can sell the rewards obtained in the Premium Pass to other players for in-game currency that can then be used to buy the next Premium Pass (assuming they earn enough coins from the sale of those items in the auction house, of course).
Rewards include a number of powerful cards, such as Immortal Icon Franck Ribéry, and powerful Evolution consumables that are used to improve cards you already own.
Some players are already hitting out at EA for the decision, pointing out this $9.99 Premium Pass comes on top of what is already a premium game and, when it comes to Ultimate Team, an already heavily-monetized game mode. Critics are also suggesting that the Premium Pass offers a direct way to buy powerful cards which can then be used in competitive multiplayer.
Others, however, are pointing out that you still need to level up to unlock most of the rewards, and you can pay for the premium track with coins earned through gameplay alone, so technically everything here is earnable by just playing.
And effectively, Ultimate Team store packs already offer a direct purchase route, given there are many that now include guaranteed cards of a certain power level. However, this paid season pass is the closest EA has come to just letting fans buy Ultimate Team players directly.
The addition of FC’s first ever paid season pass may be an attempt by EA to further monetize its money-spinner now the game is available at a heavily discounted price and ahead of FC 25’s expected arrival in console subscription services such as Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PlayStation Plus.
It’s also worth noting that back in January EA lowered its financial forecast for its fiscal year, pointing to the “underperformance” of EA Sports FC 2025 (which accounted for the “majority” of the shortfall) and BioWare’s Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
In a blog post, EA said the Premium Pass is “purely additive” and promised not to shift rewards from the standard tier of the Season Pass to the Premium Pass.
“While our Season 7 Premium Pass rewards are locked in, we’ll be monitoring your feedback to make sure we deliver the best experience possible in whatever mode you play in FC moving forward,” EA said.
The launch of the Premium Pass at the beginning of EA’s new financial year is telling (EA reports the results of its FY 2025 in May), and it looks like a clear set-up for the inevitable EA Sports FC 26. The question for EA is, will the Premium Pass do the business it needs without causing ruptions in its community?
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
Switch 2 is on the way and being a next-generation system its games are naturally going to take up a little more space.
We’ve had the rundown about various first-party titles and how much they’re expected to use of the 256GB internal storage and now some estimated file sizes for third-party games have surfaced. This information has been shared by Necro Felipe of Universo Nintendo (via GoNintendo):
Street Fighter 6: Years 1-2 Fighters Edition is set to release for Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5. This edition throws 26 fighters into the mix across 20 stages. You can preorder it now (see it at Target). For more details, keep on reading.
Street Fighter 6: Years 1-2 Fighters Edition for Switch 2
Unlike many first-party Switch 2 games, this one is releasing at the relatively wallet-friendly $59.99 price. Some other Switch 2 games, including original Switch games that have been enhanced for Switch 2, are releasing for $69.99 or eve $79.99 in the case of Mario Kart World and Tears of the Kingdom.
Note: This is a Game-Key Card
Some Nintendo Switch 2 games come in the form of game-key cards, including this one. Game-key cards are physical cards that look basically like Switch 2 cartridges, but they don’t actually contain the game on them. Instead, you’ll need to insert the card into your Switch 2 and then download the game from the eShop. Note, it’s a 50GB download, so you might want to pick up a microSD Express card to add some extra storage.
What Is Street Fighter 6: Years 1-2 Fighters Edition?
This edition of Street Fighter 6 comes with all the base fighters, plus the additions from the first two years. That means you get 26 fighters and 20 stages.
As for the game itself, we loved it. From our 9/10 Street Fighter 6 review: “Street Fighter games are always benchmark moments for the 2D fighting game genre, but Street Fighter 6 feels extra special. The Drive System is an incredible addition to the fighting mechanics that gives you a veritable Swiss Army knife of options and meter-management decisions right from the start of every single round, the starting roster is the best Street Fighter has ever seen, its online netcode through three betas has been impeccable so far, and the number of smaller details that it nails right out of the gate is unprecedented. It’s so good that even the poor story and extremely slow progression of the single-player World Tour amounts to only a jab’s worth of damage on its metaphorical health bar. Whether you’re completely new to fighting games or are a seasoned vet, Street Fighter 6 is a must play.”
Other Preorder Guides
Chris Reed is a deals expert and commerce editor for IGN. You can follow him on Bluesky @chrislreed.com.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is set to release exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5. It includes the original Nintendo Switch game with some Switch 2 enhancements, plus Zelda Notes via the Nintendo Switch app. It’s available to preorder now (see it at Target). Read on for the details.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
You’ll probably notice that the price is higher than the typical video games you may be used to purchasing. That’s because Nintendo is pricing its Switch 2 games using a varying scale. This original game was one of the few original Switch games to hit the $69.99 price. Nintendo is keeping that price, and adding $10 for the Switch 2 glow-up. I don’t love that.
Upgrade Pack Is Also Available Separately
This version of the game comes with the original Switch game, plus the Switch 2 Edition upgrade pack. If you already own the original game for Switch, you can purchase the upgrade pack separately for $10 and save some money.
Upgrade Pack Is Free with Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack
If you already own Tears of the Kingdom and you’re a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack member, you get the upgrade for no additional charge. It comes included in your subscription.
What is The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition?
This package includes the full original Switch game The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, plus the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrade pack. That gets you upgraded performance, with things like faster frame rates and load times, plus enhanced resolution and textures. Basically, the is looks and runs better on Nintendo Switch 2 than it ever did on the original Switch.
From our original 10/10 TotK review: “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is an unfathomable follow-up to one of the greatest games ever made, somehow improving upon it in nearly every way – be that with simple quality-of-life improvements, a genuinely exciting story, or wildly creative new building mechanics that make you rethink what is possible. It both revamps old ground and introduces vast new areas so immense it somehow makes me wonder if Breath of the Wild was actually all that big, with an almost alarming number of tasks to complete, mysteries to discover, and delightful distractions to keep you from ever reaching that place you naively thought you were headed. Nintendo has followed up a triumph with a triumph, expanding and evolving a world that already felt full beyond expectation and raising the bar ever higher into the clouds.”
Other Preorder Guides
Chris Reed is a deals expert and commerce editor for IGN. You can follow him on Bluesky @chrislreed.com.
With the upcoming release of the Nintendo Switch 2, we are getting that old familiar pang…for some slick new accessories.
Yes, we all know that picking up lots of new bits and bobs for a new console is almost as exciting as playing it, and so we’ve put together this list of all first-party accessories that we are currently aware of, alongside some choice third-party additions.
Game Week Sale is live now! For a limited time*, you can enjoy price reductions across a selection of titles, including Dragon Ball Sparking Zero Deluxe Edition (20% off), EA Sports FC 25 (70% off), Dynasty Warriors: Origins (20% off) and many more.
Mario Kart World is a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive game that’s set to release alongside the upcoming console’s launch, on June 5. An open-world racing game, Mario Kart World is packed full of characters, vehicles, and regions from the Mushroom Kingdom for you to explore in a free-wheeling manner. You can preorder the game now at various retailers (see it at Walmart). Let’s take a look.
Unlike many video games these days, Mario Kart World is only available in one edition. You can pick it up all by itself for $79.99, or bundled with the Switch 2 console for $499.99.
Switch 2 Super Mario Kart World Bundle
If you buy the Switch 2 bundle that includes Super Mario Kart World, you can save $30 versus buying the console and game separately. Note that the console bundle includes a digital copy, so you won’t get the actual cart or game box if you go that route. If having a physical game is important enough for you that you’ll throw in an extra $30, by all means, proceed with your preorder.
Yes, the MSRP Is $79.99
Purchased by itself, the game costs $79.99, which is $10 more than standard price of AAA PlayStation and Xbox games this generation. While I don’t love seeing game prices getting hiked up between generations, I know games are more expensive to make than ever these days. In any case, I’m hopeful it indicates the scale of Mario Kart World makes it worth the extra money.
What Is Mario Kart World?
Mario Kart World promises to be the biggest Mario Kart game yet. It’s designed as an all-encompassing open world, much like the Forza Horizon series. In Grand Prix mode, you can even drive from the end of one track to the start of the next after finishing a race.
The tracks in Mario Kart World are altered by things like weather conditions and the time of day, which can affect your visibility and traction as you race around. You can also veer off the actual track at any point and drive “virtually everywhere,” according to Nintendo. Each race has 24 drivers, more than any previous Mario Kart game.
Knockout Tour is a new mode that lets you race from one corner of the open world to the other. Along the way, you’ll drive through checkpoints that have placements listed on them; if you’re lagging behind the required placement as you reach a checkpoint, you’ll be eliminated from the race.
If that sounds too hectic to you, you can choose to drive anywhere you want in the world in Free Roam mode. You can team up with friends as you leisurely cruise around, and take photos along the way.
More info about Mario Kart World is coming during an April 17 Nintendo Direct. In the meantime, take a look at our Mario Kart World hands-on preview for more info.
Other Preorder Guides
Chris Reed is a deals expert and commerce editor for IGN. You can follow him on Bluesky @chrislreed.com.
This bumps the game up to Version 1.0.2 and includes a whole host of bug fixes along with some “changes and additions” to functions. Here’s the full rundown, courtesy of Nintendo’s support page:
We are so excited to announce that Ghost of Yōtei comes to PS5 on October 2, 2025!
It’s been nearly five years since we shipped Ghost of Tsushima, and in that time we’ve been hard at work making Ghost of Yōtei something special. While the stories are unrelated, it’s important to us to make this a worthy follow-up to Jin’s journey, and we can’t wait for you to experience Atsu’s quest for vengeance later this year.
Alongside today’s news, we’ve also released our latest trailer for Ghost of Yōtei, “The Onryō’s List.” Sixteen years ago in the heart of Ezo (called Hokkaido in present day), a gang of outlaws known as the Yōtei Six took everything from Atsu. They killed her family and left her for dead, pinned to a burning ginkgo tree outside her home. But Atsu survived. She learned to fight, to kill, and to hunt, and after years away she has returned to her home with a list of six names: The Snake, The Oni, The Kitsune, The Spider, The Dragon, and Lord Saito.
One by one, she’s hunting them down to avenge her family, armed with the same katana used to pin her to that burning tree all those years ago. But while Atsu’s story begins with vengeance, she’ll find there’s more to her journey than just revenge. As she explores Ezo, Atsu will meet unlikely allies and forge connections that help give her a new sense of purpose.
Download the image
Download the image
Download the image
Download the image
Download the image
Download the image
Download the image
Download the image
We hope the brief looks in today’s trailer give you a taste of what you can expect from Ghost of Yōtei. Beyond your first look at the Yōtei Six, you’ll spot some of the gorgeous scenery of Ezo as well as a handful of Atsu’s new weapons, a few of her allies, and even a new gameplay mechanic that will allow you to glimpse Atsu’s past and understand everything that was taken from her.
But we’ve only scratched the surface. In Ghost of Yōtei, we’ve built upon and evolved the way you explore the open world, offering even more freedom and variety than in Ghost of Tsushima. You’ll choose which leads to follow as you pick which Yōtei Six member you want to hunt down first. Atsu can also track other dangerous targets and claim bounties, or seek out weapon sensei to learn new skills. Ezo is wild, and as deadly as it is beautiful. As you trek across the open world you’ll find unexpected dangers and peaceful reprieves (including some returning activities from Tsushima), and you’ll be able to build a campfire anywhere in the open world for a rest under the stars. We want you to have the freedom to explore Ezo however you decide to, and we can’t wait to share more.
Download the image
Today we can also reveal that pre-orders for Ghost of Yōtei begin next week, and you’ll be able to choose between multiple different editions.
Download the image
First, if you pre-order any edition of Ghost of Yōtei you’ll receive a unique in-game mask, as well as a set of seven PSN avatars featuring concept art of Atsu and each member of the Yōtei Six at launch1. Pre-orders on PlayStation Store will receive the avatars immediately.
The standard edition (digital/disc) of Ghost of Yōtei will be SGD 97.90 / MYR 299 / IDR 1,029,000 / THB 2,290 / PHP 3,490 / VND 1,799,000MSRP and will be available at retail or at PlayStation Store.
Download the image
At PlayStation Store, you’ll also be able to pre-order the Ghost of Yōtei Digital Deluxe Edition for SGD 107 / MYR 339 / 1,169,000 / THB 2,690MSRP.
The Digital Deluxe Edition includes a digital copy of Ghost of Yōtei plus in-game bonuses including The Snake’s armor set, as well as an alternate dye for your starting armor. You’ll also receive a unique horse color and unique saddle dye, plus an in-game Charm, gold Sword Kit, and an early unlock of Traveler’s Maps, which allow you to find statues throughout the world to upgrade your skills.
Download the image
Finally, we are thrilled to reveal the Ghost of Yōtei Collector’s Edition. This packed edition includes all of the pre-order bonuses, all in-game items from the Digital Deluxe Edition, and a digital copy of the game2, as well as a replica display edition of Atsu’s Ghost mask. The mask is built to-scale with Jin’s mask from our Ghost of Tsushima Collector’s Edition. If you have both, they look great next to each other on a shelf! The mask measures 6.8 x 5 x 5.9 inches and is made of resin, plus includes its own display stand.
Also included is a replica of Atsu’s sash, complete with the names of all six members of the Yōtei Six (but you’ll have to cross them off yourself). The sash measures 71 inches long and is made of a cotton blend, a perfect cosplay accessory or wall decoration.
There’s also a replica of the Tsuba from Atsu’s katana, forged by her father in the image of two twin wolves. This Tsuba measures roughly 3 x 3 inches and also includes its own display stand.
In addition to all of the above, the Ghost of Yōtei Collector’s Edition also includes a pouch of coins and instructions to play Zeni Hajiki, a game of skill you’ll play throughout Ghost of Yōtei. There’s also a foldable papercraft ginkgo tree along with a wolf at its base, and a set of four 5 x 7-inch art cards featuring the sash, the wolf, Atsu’s Ghost mask, and our key art.
Pricing for Ghost of Yōtei Collector’s Edition in Southeast Asia will be announced on later date.
We think this is the best Collector’s Edition we’ve ever produced, and we can’t wait for you to get your hands on it on October 2.
While pre-orders don’t open until May 2, you can wishlist Ghost of Yōtei right now at PlayStation Store and sign up to receive notifications as we release more information in the months to come.
We are so proud of Ghost of Yōtei and have many more exciting things we can’t wait to show you as we approach our release date. We are incredibly appreciative of all the support for Ghost of Tsushima and grateful for everyone who played, and hope you’ll look forward to following the wind once again on October 2.
1 Available via voucher code for Collector’s Edition and physical Standard Edition. Internet connection and an account for PlayStation Network required to redeem.
2 Digital items available via voucher code. Internet connection and an account for PlayStation™Network required to redeem.
Like a member of the Mythic Dawn popping out of a secret room to stab the emperor in the back, a remaster of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion has shown up out of nowhere, and it’s a dagger I’ll gladly throw myself on. As one of my favorite RPGs ever, it’s no surprise that I’ve already put in a full day’s worth of playing: I’ve closed a dozen Oblivion gates as the hero of Kvatch, made Faustian bargains with a bunch of Daedric gods, fought to become champion of the arena in the Imperial City, and am well on my way to completing a few of the faction questlines – and so far I’m quite impressed by the substantial upgrades of this new version. I recently revisited the original Oblivion, so with its shortcomings very clear in my mind, the improved UI, revised voice lines, and especially the graphical overhaul have made this nearly 20-year-old classic massively more playable. That said, I’ve also seen a disappointingly recognizable amount of jank, like weird animations when getting on a horse, broken questlines, and regular framerate hitching. But as someone who is pretty immune to the charms of nostalgia alone, I’m still having a fantastic time returning to this adorably weird open-world adventure.
It probably goes without saying that the graphical upgrade is Oblivion Remastered’s biggest improvement. While things definitely don’t look anywhere near the normal standards of today, putting this version side-by-side with its 2006 doppelganger is eye-raisingly impressive. The entire map is crisp, with a draw distance my teenage-self could have only dreamed of. Lighting, shadows, and character lip syncing in particular have been overhauled so much that it’s actually kind of shocking. That said, other things bizarrely didn’t get the memo, like the faces of NPCs, which are almost universally hideous and cartoonish and have about a 40% chance of being cross-eyed. (Although, honestly, being horrified by character faces might actually be part of the authentic Oblivion experience.) So not every Nord and mudcrab is as beautiful to look at as your typical big budget game in 2025, but it’s still a total glow up. It’s one of those situations where I somehow remember things looking just like this in 2006, even though they very clearly looked much worse, which speaks to how the spirit and style of the original has been maintained.
The addition of sprinting has made for a remarkably less tedious time.
Perhaps the thing that has had the biggest impact on gameplay in Oblivion Remastered is the inclusion of a sprint button. If you haven’t played Oblivion in over a decade, yes, there was no sprinting – wild, I know – and if you never played it, just understand that you’ll never truly know this gift you’ve been granted from Akatosh himself. I don’t even really mind that I’m now losing stamina by sprinting (something that annoys me in RPGs where you’re literally always running around). It’s worth it, even if it does have the odd side effect of making the entire map feel smaller, especially cities and dungeons that can now be fully explored in about half the time. This change has also made me care a whole lot more about investing in skills and magical buffs that increase my stamina, since now I’m using that meter for nearly everything I do. But despite the extra fiddling that causes, moving quickly through areas I already know like the back of my hand makes for a remarkably less tedious time.
There are also a bunch of major changes to the UI, skills, and leveling system, as well as an entirely new feature called Character Origins, which seem to further modify starting stats. The UI has been modernized with today’s design sensibilities, so there are lots of appreciated additions you might not even notice. The compass has moved to the top of your screen and provides way more information; the health, magicka, and stamina meters are now spaced out across the screen instead of being shoved into one corner together; and the menus are much more intuitively placed, so you can toggle between your spells and character stats a lot faster. Some elements still feel pretty old timey – like the quest log popping up right in the middle of the screen anytime you’ve reached a new milestone in one, awkwardly interrupting whatever you were doing – but most of these annoyances haven’t bothered me much just yet. I also just need to spend more time with the altered leveling system and skills to understand if those changes were for better or worse.
It’s a bummer that two decades wasn’t long enough to fix the jank.
Although developer Virtuous Games headed up this remaster, this is still a Bethesda game through and through, and with that comes a lot of bugs. I’ve already seen odd stuff, like one time when an Oblivion gate disappeared before my eyes, or how an NPC walked away and wouldn’t let me talk to them even when my quest objective told me I had to (though I was still able to advance the questline despite the log not updating, otherwise I’d be madder about that). Then there’s just plain and simple performance issues I’ve seen while playing on Xbox Series X, like how I lose frames for a second or two anytime the autosave triggers or if I’m battling too many dirty, rat-faced scamps in Kvatch. So far most of this has been the usual cheeky blunders that generally don’t ruin my time, but it’s definitely a bummer to see that two decades wasn’t long enough to fix this janky fantasy world.
That’s all I’ve got for now, but am hoping to have a full review before too long. First I want to wrap up the main quest line, pay a visit to the Shivering Isles, and maybe go on a rampage across Cyrodil just to hear the Imperial guards give me their arrest monologue a few hundred more times. Okay. That’s it. Gonna go catch vampirism or something now. Goodbye.
